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I am your author and host, Rick Loayza. This is the blog and podcast where we bring to life some of the forgotten stories from basketball history. I love basketball. I love watching it. I love reading about it. I love learning about its history. I am, for all intents and purposes, a basketball junkie. I’ve coached all three of my kids in youth basketball. In fact, I still coach my youngest each winter. Something just happened to me when I was 11 where I was bitten by the basketball bug. And ...
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Iconic Seasons is a podcast that takes you back to the greatest college basketball seasons of all time. Through the voices of players, coaches, and journalists, we relive the excitement, the drama, and the unforgettable moments that made these moments and seasons iconic. We use interviews, audio from the games, as well as scripted storytelling, to bring the past to life. Whether you're a die-hard college basketball fan or just a casual observer, Iconic Seasons is a must-listen for anyone who ...
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Elgin Baylor retired in 1971 due to his diminishing skills. However, the timing could not be worse for Baylor. The day that he retired, the Lakers started their famous 33-game winning streak and went on to win the championship... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk"…
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They Call Me Goose: A Kentucky Legend Takes Flight our interview with UK Legend Jack "Goose" Givens and his collaborator Doug Brunk
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They Call Me Goose: My Life in Kentucky Basketball and Beyond is an intimate and all-encompassing look at the life and career of the basketball legend, from growing up in a housing project in Lexington, his success with UK men's basketball through his years with NBA's Atlanta Hawks and the Japan Basketball Association, his career as a college and N…
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In today’s episode we cover the Detroit Falcons, Pittsburgh Ironmen, and the Indianapolis Jets. All three teams only lasted a single season in the NBA. They were all dysfunctional and struggled for wins and fans, leading to their eventual demises... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publishe…
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Today, we conclude our story on Red Auerbach and his 16 champions, which is more than anyone else in NBA history. From his 8-year championship run on the 1960s to his rebuilding of championship teams in the 1970s and 1980s, we cover the conclusion of his time with the Celtics. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Ed…
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In Part 2 of our story, we share how Auerbach became the coach of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics had never had a winning season in their history before hiring Auerbach. That changed quickly. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "1940's Slow Dance" by Doug Maxwell "Horizons" by …
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Red Auerbach is arguably the most influential coach in NBA history. He grew up in Brooklyn as the son of Jewish immigrants, and he was obsessed with basketball. It was the only thing that mattered to him. Join as we follow his story from his upbringing to his first job in the NBA with the Washington Capitols. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, w…
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Episode 187 - The Dean Tolson Exclusive: A Retired Seattle SuperSonic's Message for the World
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Dean Tolson, former Seattle SuperSonic, has an incredibly powerful story of being illiterate through his professional playing days before going back to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as an adult. He now speaks to thousands of kids on the value of an education. Click here to purchase Tolson's book, Power Forward: My Journey from Illiterate…
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Iconic Seasons is all about college basketball. We talk about the greatest moments in the sport's history with interviews from players, coaches, and journalists. Occasionally we go deep on other topics like health and fitness. In this week's episode, we try new products and experience the benefits of cold plunges and saunas. Support the show Check …
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LeBron James just reached 40,000 regular-season career points. In order to commemorate this living moment in basketball history, Rick discusses the guys that first reached 10k, 20k, and 30k points, as well as what would be required in order for LeBron's record to ever be broken... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza…
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In the early 1900s, basketball was at risk of branching off and developing into very different versions of the game all over the world. If it had not been for the early rules committee, who oversaw the game's development and ensured its safety, the game could have developed into different sports in different parts of the world. Because of their eff…
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Danny Ainge was an incredible all-around athlete. He was only a 1x All-Star with the Celtics, but in high school he had scholarship offers for basketball, football, and baseball. He was the first high school player to be named an All-American in three different sports. He also played as a 2nd baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. CREDITS Rick Loayza: …
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In today’s episode we cover the Chicago Stags, the St. Louis Bombers, and the Cleveland Rebels. All three teams were original NBA teams that went out of business within the first four years of the league. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "1940's Slow Dance" by Doug Maxwell "…
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Jerry West won the very first NBA Finals MVP award in 1969 despite having played for the losing team. Even today, over 50 years later, that is the only time that has ever happened... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic "Horizons" by…
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It's all the Hoosier Stories in one place. In what has been an up-and-down season for this years crew it is wonderful to look back at this team. Let's remember that this team had no players that made it in the NBA though several had pro careers. Despite the lack of high-end talent the system and cohesiveness of the team carried the day. Join us and…
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Today, we conclude our profile on Pete Newell, The man won an NCAA championship and the Olympics, and then later moved into the NBA. He was everywhere in coaching, and truly one of the geniuses of the game. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "60s and 70s Rock" by Hyde "Horizon…
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Hall of Fame coach Pete Newell refined and popularized the full court press and weak side defensive help styles of defense in basketball. His ideas are still being used today at all levels of the game. He was one of those basketball geniuses who advanced the game by leaps and bounds. This is his story. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, …
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In the history of the NBA, there have been 15 teams who went out of business and had to fold their operations. In this episode, we cover three of those teams and what happened to them: the Washington Capitols, the Providence Steamrollers, and the Toronto Huskies. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer…
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Rewind Time: The Epic 1987 NCAA Championship and a Preview of Bird & Magic’s Unforgettable Journey
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Get ready for a time-warp back to the legendary 1987 NCAA championship game between Indiana and Syracuse, where we dissect the strategies, the defining moments, and the players who made history. Promise us one thing; you'll be on the edge of your seat when we unfold the drama of the final play that saw Indiana emerge as the champions and the lastin…
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The 33-Game winning streak by the 1972 Los Angeles Lakers is the longest winning streak in North American team sports history, not just the NBA. This story involved a decades-old rivalry and the mid-season retirement of a legend, but it produced an unbroken record that has stood the test of time. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and vo…
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Get ready to hit rewind as we take you back to 1987 for a deep dive into the NCAA basketball championship, with a former player who was there on the court! We've got former Hoosier 6-man, Joe Hillman, with us to share what it was really like on the court in that high-stakes match between Indiana and Syracuse, and how Coach Knight's legendary coachi…
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Back in 1967, the San Francisco Warriors sued Rick Barry because he tried to jump to the Oakland Oaks of the ABA. This sent shockwaves through both leagues. What was Barry going to do... stay with the Warriors, or go with the Oaks? Vote for BBH.101 in the Sports Podcast Awards here! CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loay…
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The Indiana Hoosiers managed to overcome the UNLV Runnin' Rebels in the unforgettable 1987 Final Four match-up. Joe Hillman, former Hoosier Six man, sheds light on the contrasting strategies that played out on the Superdome court. Joe will share unique insights, revealing how IU's press defense was instrumental in controlling UNLV and their two-dim…
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Today we go back a revisit our very first episode on the invention of the game and the first game ever played. After trying several ideas, James Naismith haD an epiphany that would make his game exciting and a huge hit. In this episode, we go back to December of 1891 for the second time on this show... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, …
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We wrap the year by giving everyone a chance to reflect and catch up before our final run of three episodes concluding the inaugural run of Iconic Seasons. We hope that you've enjoyed the first 7 episodes if you have tell someone about the show or leave us a comment. If you really like it send us an email at hardwoodhistory@gmail.com. If you can't …
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It was 1959 and the Minneapolis Lakers were in Charleston, West Virginia to play against the Cincinnati Royals. As the Lakers were checking into their hotel, Elgin Baylor, Boo Ellis, and Ed Fleming were denied rooms because of the color of their skin. Baylor took it personally and chose to sit out the game. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, wri…
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Merry Christmas! In today's bonus episode, Rick shares the short story of when Wayne Embry showed up for his very first NBA game without his uniform... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Christmas Village" by Aaron Kenny "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistoryn…
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The 1987 season of Indiana basketball holds a special place in the history of NCAA. Led by the legendary Coach Bob Knight, the Indiana Hoosiers took home the NCAA Championship that year, marking one of the most memorable seasons in the history of Indiana basketball. The journey to this victory was not a conventional one. Bob Knight, known for his i…
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In the early 1900s, doctors and researchers were asking a very important question: Was basketball too strenuous for anyone but grown men to play? There were some in the medical community of the day that thought that basketball could have long term negative effects on the human body. That’s when Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game, stepped …
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NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY is presented by the Sports History Network, the headquarters for sports yesteryear. ABOUT SHOW: My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan o…
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Reliving the Magic: Freddie Banks on the 1987 UNLV Rebels’ Breathtaking Journey to the Final Four
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Get ready for a whirlwind journey back to 1987 with the UNLV Run-and-Rebels basketball team. We're joined by none other than Freddie Banks, a key player in that iconic Final Four team. Freddie brings to life the remarkable camaraderie, electrifying offense, and underrated defense that made the team truly legendary. He opens up about his personal jo…
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Today, Rick interviews Kent Washington, the first American to play professional basketball behind the Iron Curtain. He shares his experience as an African-American playing in a communist country. He has an amazing story. To purchase a copy of Kent Washington’s book, click here: kentomania:%20A%20Black%20Basketball%20Virtuoso%20in%20Communist%20Pola…
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The 1987 NCAA basketball season will forever be remembered for the iconic Final Four clash between Providence and Syracuse. This match, a pivotal moment in NCAA history, saw Syracuse making a surprising shift from their typical zone defense to man-to-man, a tactical switch that played a crucial role in their victory. As we dissect this legendary ga…
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Muggsy Bogues had to prove doubters wrong at every level of basketball, but more so in the NBA than in either high school or university. After a rough start with the Washington Bullets, he found his stride with the expansion Charlotte Hornets, where he excelled as the league's shortest player ever. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and …
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Reliving Syracuse Basketball's Golden Era: The Unforgettable 1987 Season, Pearl Washington’s Legacy, and NCAA Highlights
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Ready to step back in time and relive one of the most thrilling eras of Syracuse Basketball? This episode transports you to 1987, a time when Syracuse Orange reverberated their fiery coach's spirit in the bruising Big East basketball scene. As your tour guide, we have Joe Combe, part of the legendary runner-up team, revealing riveting tales of the …
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Muggsy Bogues is still the shortest player in NBA history at 5’3”. And despite that, he played for 14 seasons in the NBA because of his athletic gifts in other areas. He was highly relatable to fans due to his short stature, and he had to overcome many obstacles just to be taken seriously by the NBA. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, an…
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Now is a perfect time to catch up on the first 4 episodes of Iconic Season or you can head over to Patreon and Binge the entire first season like a Thanksgiving Feast. In case you missed them the first three episodes are now free for everyone. The first episode focuses on New Orleans and the final fours that have occurred there. The second episode …
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Larry Bird and Julius Erving had one of the most massive fights in NBA history. It was near the end of the 3rd quarter. Bird had 42 points and Erving only had 6 points. Bird was talking major trash to Erving and that led to a throw-down. Between the players and coaches, there were 11 Hall of Famers participating in this game, and they all got in on…
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Reliving Providence's Glorious 1987 Season: Epic Victories, Transformative Coaching, and Unforgettable Battles on the Court
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Let's relive the glorious days of Providence's 1987 basketball season under the legendary guidance of Coach Rick Pitino. This episode is fueled by nostalgic energy and fascinating revelations from our guest, former player Ryan Ford. Prepare for a journey filled with tales of nail-biting matches against formidable teams, and the remarkable victories…
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The current NBA logo is the 5th version of the logo, not counting special anniversary logos. The silhouette used is of Jerry West. But is it time to use a new player, perhaps Michael Jordan? Or should tradition win out? CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Horizon" by Roa SPORT…
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S1 E2: Indiana Hoosiers' Global Journey to Glory - Reliving the 1987 Championship Season and Bob Knight's Bold Strategies
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Get ready for a deep dive into Indiana University Basketball’s triumphant 1987 Championship season, a journey that starts with the team's eye-opening 1985 international exhibition tour. From Toronto to Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong and Amsterdam, the Hoosiers experienced a unique bonding opportunity filled with fierce competition against national teams…
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Prepare to be transported back to some of the most epic moments in Final Four history. We're revisiting the legendary 1982 championship game between Dean Smith and John Thompson, the moment of magic when Michael Jordan sank a game-winning shot, the ascension of the Big East Conference, and the infamous 1993 final, all amidst the buzzing backdrop of…
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Today, we conclude our story on Jerry Lucas. He played six All-Star seasons in Cincinnati before Bob Cousy traded him away to San Francisco. Eventually, he landed on a loaded Knicks team and won the 1973 NBA championship. But that was just the beginning. He then went into a career writing books and creating products to help people with their memory…
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Welcome to Iconic Seasons 1987, the podcast that takes a deep dive into the most iconic seasons in sports history. For our preview episode, we're going back to 1987, one of the most entertaining seasons in NCAA history. In 1987, we saw the debut of the three-point line and a final four that included 4 hall of fame coaches and incredible players. It…
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Jerry Lucas is one of the greatest forwards of all time, but he hardly ever gets mentioned today. This our chance to shine our spotlight on the life and career of this Hall of Famer and member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "60s and 70s …
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In this bonus episode of BBH.101, Rick shares the story of Wilt Chamberlain’s custom-built home in Bel Air, Los Angeles. It was built with a 7-footer in mind, and it possessed an unusual name... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan "Horizons" by Roa SP…
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Larry Fleisher was never a player or coach, but is still a member of the Hall of Fame. He served as the legal counsel to the NBA Players Association and helped with the legal structure in forming the union in the first place. He also represented the players when they sued the NBA for free agency and in the merger between the NBA and the ABA. He neg…
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The ABCD Camp was the brainchild of Sonny Vaccaro, the same guy who helped create the Air Jordan basketball shoe. This camp brought together the 100 top high school basketball players in the country to play against each other every year to see who really were the greatest. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor…
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When Football Is Football is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear. NETWORK SPONSORS Row One - the vintage shop for sports history fans! HIGHLIGHTED SHOW I am Chad Cain your host of One Guy with a Mic Presents: History of Dingers and Dunks. I am going to be bringing the history of baseball and basketball to lif…
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Only 3% of NBA players end up in the Naismith Hall of Fame even once, and Lenny Wilkens made it in three separate categories. That is incredibly rare. Today we cover his story and go through his various contributions to the NBA that garnered Hall of Fame accolades. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, produc…
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The 1980s Boston Celtics we’re close-knit group. They loved to play jokes on each other. Cedric Maxwell would often refer to Danny Ainge as Dolph Schayes whenever Ainge had a bad game. But one day, that joke came back to bite them... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "80's Sy…
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